Real Lives: Diamond celebration is a reflection of their love

Published on Wednesday 3 August 2011 11:38

On reflection, it was a romance kindled when they caught each other's eyes in a mirror.

Edwin and Catherine Gover, both 81, have celebrated 60 years of happiness at their diamond wedding celebration in Danderhall.

The couple met when Catherine, who was with the Women's Auxiliary Force or WAF - went to a Battle of Britain parade in Princes Street with a friend.

Afterwards, they headed to the Mirador Cafe in Leith, and Edwin, a naval seaman from Portsmouth who was based at Rosyth, walked in with a friend.

"Edwin kept looking at me in the mirror," said Catherine, who still works as a jury minder at the High Court.

"I thought, I think he's got a notion for me! I went to put money in the jukebox and I felt a tap on my shoulder - it was Edwin and he asked me what I wanted to hear.

"I said When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole and he said he would put it on for me - I went back to my friend and said 'I think I've scored!'"

But Catherine was left bewildered when Edwin and his friend left without saying anything. Edwin, who had gone to walk his friend to a boxing gym, came back looking for Catherine but found she had left. By chance, he spotted the pair looking in the window of the photographer, Jerome, and once again tapped Catherine on the shoulder.

They began a courtship, which went on until Christmas, when Edwin announced he wanted to get engaged, and they tied the knot on July 27, 1951, at Drummohr Monastery near Wallyford.

The pair moved in with Edwin's mum in Portsmouth after they married, where he was to be stationed before being sent to South Korea.

A couple of years later, they moved to a prefab in Danderhall before settling in Edmonstone Road, where they have lived ever since.

They have five children - Victor, twins Maureen and Pauline, Edwina and Terry - 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

After leaving the Navy, Edwin worked as a bricklayer before he went to work in the mines, first at Woolmet and then Monktonhall, until he retired, while Catherine worked in the Co-Operative.

The couple, who still enjoy going to dances together, celebrated their wedding anniversary at Danderhall Miners' Club.

Asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Catherine said: "You have to have trust in one another. We have wee arguments now and again, but we have never fallen out.

"I just know that I've got a good man."